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Famous Last Words: A Collection of Wit and Wisdom

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In this post, I want to explore some of the most memorable and thought-provoking final words uttered by famous figures throughout history. These words aren’t just a simple goodbye; they’re often a reflection of the person’s life, their beliefs, and their unique perspective on death. 1. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Bio : The quintessential playwright of the English language, Shakespeare's works continue to enthral and inspire centuries after his death. His sonnets and plays remain cornerstones of literature. Little Known Fact : While Shakespeare’s name is synonymous with theatre, there’s surprisingly little evidence that he was an actor himself. Some scholars believe he may have played minor roles in some of his productions. Death and Final Words : The exact circumstances of Shakespeare's death are shrouded in mystery. Some believe he died of natural causes, while others speculate he may have succumbed to a fever or even a plague outbreak. H...
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Space-Time, I Still Don't Know What It Is, No-One Does

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Not knowing the true nature of space-time seems to be same for everyone, including Albert Einstein who invented / discovered / stumbled upon / math'ed it  back in 1915. Not knowing though is massively fun, it's the reason science exists, that and a burning curiosity within each and everyone of us. Space-time is frequently described as the “fabric of reality.” In some accounts, this fabric is referred to as a fixed, four-dimensional “block universe” — a complete map of all events, past, present and future. In others, it’s a dynamic field that bends and curves in response to gravity. But what does it really mean to say that space-time exists? What kind of thing is it — is space-time structure, substance or metaphor? What, exactly, is space-time? , August 24, 2025 by Daryl Janzen Who fucken knows tbh, but it's fun to see where we are at. I get the impression that gravity and time, the current last two blocks to be understood and 'slotted' into Quantum Field Theory a...
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5 MORE Common Logical Fallacies and How to Spot Them

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Back again with part two and the final set of five  logical fallacies . In this "long read," we're going to break down five more common logical fallacies.  Let's get into it, our first post covered the following: Ad Hominem Straw Man Appeal to Authority False Dichotomy / Dilemma Slippery Slope … and now it's time to finish the set. The Cheat Sheet If you can't be bothered to read it all here is the [tl;dr] "too long; didn't read and can't wait" version of all ten fallacies at a glance. (click/tap the image to open big / download and print) 6. Circular Reasoning Circular reasoning / begging the question, also traditionally known by its Latin name petitio principii ("assuming the premise"), is a logical fallacy where the argument begins with what it is trying to end with. In other words, the conclusion is already assumed, either implicitly or explicitly, within one of the premises. Instea...
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5 Common Logical Fallacies and How to Spot Them

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I want to run through something important but often overlooked in our daily conversations, debates, and even our own thinking: logical fallacies . Understanding logical fallacies is like having a mental toolkit for spotting weak arguments, manipulation, and plain old fuzzy thinking. It's about sharpening your critical thinking skills and navigating the complex landscape of information and persuasion we encounter every day. In this "long read," we're going to break down five common logical fallacies (with another five in a follow-up post ), look at where they came from (or how they were identified), explore their potential downsides, and, most importantly, provide actionable strategies for spotting them and adjusting our own thinking. The Cheat Sheet Alright, here is the [tl;dr] "too long; didn't read and can't wait" version of all ten fallacies at a glance for those of us who need the shorthand to get back to the rugby or the...
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How To Speak Kiwi

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 😀
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The Top 5 Historical Events You Probably Got Wrong

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Why history’s greatest hits are often fabricated, and why the truth is far more fascinating than the fiction. History's Greatest Hits (That Never Happened) Ever feel like you know history? That you've got a handle on the big events, the defining moments, the rise and fall of empires? What if some of the most famous stories, the ones that spring to mind at a moment's notice, are just... well, totally made up? I'm diving into five iconic historical "facts" that are actually widespread myths, persistent earworms of misinformation that have burrowed their way into the collective consciousness. 01 Marie Antoinette's Indifferent Dessert Request Behind the Lines This juicy quote became powerful propaganda during the French Revolution , perfectly framing her as uncaring and fueling public resentment. It served as kindling for the revolutionary fire. The Classic Tale "Let them eat cake!" ...
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Beat The System

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[the brain whispers to you] "Get as much out of it as you possible can!" I abhor this attitude and fight against it all the time … in fact, my brain never bothers anymore, it learnt a very long time ago that life is so much easier when one isn't fighting all the time. Caveat, there's always readers (not you, others) that take my opening lines and extrapolate it out to mean that EVERY time Mike ALWAYS thinks xyz. No, of course not, life is all relative and this time is no different. For instance, if you work for an organisation that is nit-icky about filling in forms and getting approval for every time you breathe in, and a different form for breathing out, then fuck 'em, go for everything you can think of. Also, if you will genuinely be out of pocket due to a work expense and suffer because of it, ask for the money back. If, however, you are claiming for every jar of coffee for the staff room, for every time you have had to buy some BluTac, or for any small amount...
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A Day in the Life of an Enshittificator

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Enter the Internet. All of a sudden I didn't have to move around to make things shitty. I could just sit in one place and make things shitty for way more people at the same time. A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator , from Forbrukerrådet  (Norwegian Consumer Council). Canadian writer Cory Doctorow coined the neologism enshittification in November 2022.
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Family, Those People That Know You Far Too Well

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After Friends there are the ever present Family that know you so well, in that 'family' sense. It's interesting the sides of one that family see's, combined with history as long as your life in a lot of cases, they certainly can know where most of the soul skeletons are hidden away, deep in the depths of the mind. That's why we love them because despite of that, they are always there. We're moving on from people I know to themes of Faces followed by Crowds .
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"You Need To Acquit That" ... What?!

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An acquittal is, to my mind, something that happens at a court, but if you're a Northern Territory government process, you have another meaning.  Let's start with what we know to be true as the day is long, always has been, and always will b---, well maybe not always will be - is this your understanding? Note the archaic reference at the bottom there, I suspect we might be onto something. Over the past few work weeks I've heard and read the word, "acquittal" on forms for leave, travel, car use, and all manner of processes. What does it mean in this context? In the first few weeks I received an email from someone in HQ asking me to "acquit" some travel but that was just before getting stuck in Alice Springs and by the time I returned there was a follow-up telling me not to worry and they acquitted it for me. I had no idea what had happened. Today I asked, "Um, what does 'acquittal' mean in Australia, specially when a government process menti...
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Views Of Papunya (Northern Territory, Australia)

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We've been in Papunya around six weeks and wow, it's true what they say, if you want to slow down time fill your life with new experiences. During this time I have, of course, been taking snaps of the ever changing streets and life in the community and I am popping all the snaps in a public Google Photos album: The streets and views of Papunya (NT, Australia) Here's eight random ones from that album, starting with a spot the difference once the rains came!            
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Popular articles

The Top 5 Historical Events You Probably Got Wrong

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Why history’s greatest hits are often fabricated, and why the truth is far more fascinating than the fiction. History's Greatest Hits (That Never Happened) Ever feel like you know history? That you've got a handle on the big events, the defining moments, the rise and fall of empires? What if some of the most famous stories, the ones that spring to mind at a moment's notice, are just... well, totally made up? I'm diving into five iconic historical "facts" that are actually widespread myths, persistent earworms of misinformation that have burrowed their way into the collective consciousness. 01 Marie Antoinette's Indifferent Dessert Request Behind the Lines This juicy quote became powerful propaganda during the French Revolution , perfectly framing her as uncaring and fueling public resentment. It served as kindling for the revolutionary fire. The Classic Tale "Let them eat cake!" ...

The Difference Between One Million And One Billion

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It feels like a billion is just a bit bigger than a million. Obviously it's bigger but it fits on the same scale as a million, surely. It doesn't. A billion is so so so much bigger than a million. I've trawled the internet finding graphics and videos that show the VAST difference between one million and one billion. Oh, and just to finish with a different misconception about space starting with the classic opening line from the great Douglas Adams and The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy : “Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.” < 64: Always get explicit consent 66: Ask that question >

5 Common Logical Fallacies and How to Spot Them

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I want to run through something important but often overlooked in our daily conversations, debates, and even our own thinking: logical fallacies . Understanding logical fallacies is like having a mental toolkit for spotting weak arguments, manipulation, and plain old fuzzy thinking. It's about sharpening your critical thinking skills and navigating the complex landscape of information and persuasion we encounter every day. In this "long read," we're going to break down five common logical fallacies (with another five in a follow-up post ), look at where they came from (or how they were identified), explore their potential downsides, and, most importantly, provide actionable strategies for spotting them and adjusting our own thinking. The Cheat Sheet Alright, here is the [tl;dr] "too long; didn't read and can't wait" version of all ten fallacies at a glance for those of us who need the shorthand to get back to the rugby or the...

How Long Could Aotearoa New Zealand Survive Being Cut Off?

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A drunken and wrong argument from me with a patient and honest mate left me thinking, "How long could Aotearoa New Zealand actually last if the boats, planes, and Internet couldn't arrive?" Let's imagine Aotearoa New Zealand suddenly and unexpectedly cut off from the rest of the world, you can choose your disaster of choice, limited nuclear war ( global and we're all fucked anyway ), a massive weather something, zombie outbreak overseas, or Winston Peters drops his trousers and does a dump on the main UN Assemble table  and no-one wants to play with us anymore. The reason isn't important but what is, suddenly and for the foreseeable future, is that we are no longer connected - the event has happened! Note: I don't have access to any insider information that say the Government hopefully has, so this is all gonna be a bit 'finger in the sky' using stuff I find on the Web and it'll be an exercise in averages, "sort of"s and even my own ...

W. C. Fields quotes

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The office has all been moved around - new desks (with starter handles to raise and lower them), new high(er) speed network and ... the same old work. At least I have a differing view of the world, my team (well, the team I'm a part of not "my" team) is a lot closer - finally - and it's like an office from the 80's ... or even a classroom. But I still have time to move the crap off the PC : ------ Any man who hates dogs and loves whiskey can't be all bad. Anyone who hates Dogs and Kids Can't be All Bad. Hey! Who took the cork off my lunch??! Who stole the cork from my breakfast? Now don't say you can't swear off drinking, it's easy. I've done it a thousand times. Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again. Then quit, no use being a damn fool about things. Madam, there's no such thing as a tough child - if you parboil them first for seven hours, they alwa...

Dunning-Kruger Effect Memes And Cartoons

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The Dunning-Kruger effect : when people overestimate their skills because they don't know enough to see their own lack of knowledge or ability. I have trawled the Web finding the finest of funnies, by all means share them when you feel the need.

Who Are The Boyles?

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My original surname was Boyle. ( here's why it changed all those years ago) Your Grandad, Derek Boyle, spent a good few years tracking the family tree, it's a thing old people do I s'pose 👴 But where did the name "Boyle" come from? The history that we were told includes Ireland after a surname trip across the water from Scotland post the "De Boylé" family entering England from Normandy in 1066 and heading up north. "Hah, you're originally French!" we jokingly taunted our slightly anti-French Cockney father. But this is just the family story we told each other, who knows if it's true at all, let's find out. If you search "Boyle family name" then it's all about the Irish Boyles, the O'Boyles The Irish surname Boyle comes from the Irish Gaelic Ó Baoighill, possibly derived from the earlier Irish word "baigell," which meant "having profitable pledges." [ source: House of Names, Boyle ] The Irish s...

5 MORE Common Logical Fallacies and How to Spot Them

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Back again with part two and the final set of five  logical fallacies . In this "long read," we're going to break down five more common logical fallacies.  Let's get into it, our first post covered the following: Ad Hominem Straw Man Appeal to Authority False Dichotomy / Dilemma Slippery Slope … and now it's time to finish the set. The Cheat Sheet If you can't be bothered to read it all here is the [tl;dr] "too long; didn't read and can't wait" version of all ten fallacies at a glance. (click/tap the image to open big / download and print) 6. Circular Reasoning Circular reasoning / begging the question, also traditionally known by its Latin name petitio principii ("assuming the premise"), is a logical fallacy where the argument begins with what it is trying to end with. In other words, the conclusion is already assumed, either implicitly or explicitly, within one of the premises. Instea...

Famous Last Words: A Collection of Wit and Wisdom

Image
In this post, I want to explore some of the most memorable and thought-provoking final words uttered by famous figures throughout history. These words aren’t just a simple goodbye; they’re often a reflection of the person’s life, their beliefs, and their unique perspective on death. 1. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Bio : The quintessential playwright of the English language, Shakespeare's works continue to enthral and inspire centuries after his death. His sonnets and plays remain cornerstones of literature. Little Known Fact : While Shakespeare’s name is synonymous with theatre, there’s surprisingly little evidence that he was an actor himself. Some scholars believe he may have played minor roles in some of his productions. Death and Final Words : The exact circumstances of Shakespeare's death are shrouded in mystery. Some believe he died of natural causes, while others speculate he may have succumbed to a fever or even a plague outbreak. H...